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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Hey KidLit Illustrators in the Los Angeles area - SCBWI Los Angeles is launching a new Sketch Crawl event series. The first one is this Saturday! If you’re in the area I hope you can come a join us.

Hosts photos for the Sketch Crawl event.

Sketch Crawl event flyer. Meet at the Los Angeles Central Library this Saturday Feb 28th from 11am - 2pm

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SCBWI @scbwi.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

The American Library Association and Banned Books Week Coalition are pleased to announce the theme for Banned Books Week 2025: “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” Banned Books Week will take place October 5 – 11, 2025. www.scbwi.org/essential-re...

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Look who I found in our garden this morning! I have been planting Milkweed the last couple of years to help the Monarch Butterflies. #MonarchButterflies

Monarch butterfly caterpillar in my garden

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Inktober, Day 9: Heavy Many of you may know that I am obsessed with archeology, and especially the Neolithic period. It’s still a mystery how our ancient ancestors moved all these extraordinarily heavy stones into place. Here’s my new ink sketch of one sight in Orkney. #Inktober2025

Standing stone sketch for Inktober. Day 9: heavy. Ink sketch by Jessica Cooper

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Phew! I’ve made it to Day 9 of the Inktober 2025 art challenge. I’m pushing myself to do all 31 prompts (hopefully before the end of the month). Here’s a little run down of my ink illustrations so far. Micron pens and watered down ink are my tools of choice. #Inktober2025 #Inktober

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Christiana Doucette @doucette515.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

@sarahnfisk.bsky.social has a great podcast for people who want to see Kid Lit queries that have worked. There's a whole youtube playlist, too! youtu.be/nngGutSWBqU... #KidLitChat

youtu.be

Queries, Qualms, & Quirks podcast trailer

YouTube video by Sarah Nicolas

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kidlitchat @kidlitchat.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

TOPIC: Queries, pitches, log lines, synopses, comps--all the stuff that someone other than you needs to see (sometimes before they agree to see your work itself!). What are you especially good at? What do you dread? Any tips for coming up with good versions of any of those steps? #kidlitchat

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

I’m playing catch up with Inktober prompts. Today I inked out Day 4: Murky, Day 5: Deer and Day 6: Pierce. Let’s see if I can get to the next few prompts tomorrow. I’m challenging myself to draw all 31 this year. #Inktober2025 #Inktober #kidlitartist #sketchbook

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Let’s all support our local libraries, and also purchase banned books this week from our local bookstores. 📚#BannedBooksWeek

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Just a reminder that it’s the first of 3 super moons this year: the Fall Harvest moon is tomorrow night. Get all your witchy spells ready. Also, it will be just so beautiful. 🌕#harvestmoon

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

It was a beautiful Autumn southern Californian day filled with sunshine and inspiration at the SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest Writers’ and Illustrators’ Day. It was so lovely to catch up with you all, and meet some of my fav #kidlit creators. 🎃🍁📚@scbwisocal.bsky.social @brianlarossa.com #scbwi

SCBWI SoCal Fall Harvest Day 2025 - Jessica Cooper and Krysta

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Inktober Day 2: weave - Here’s my ink drawing of Ann Radcliffe weaving a spooky Gothic tale. I’m going with a Dark Academia theme this year. #Inktober2025 #Inktober

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Spooky Season is here! Today is Day 1 of the Inktober art challenge, and today’s prompt is: Mustache. I decided to go with my usual Dark Academia motifs and vibes, and painted a portrait of Edgar Allan Poe. #Inktober2025 #Inktober

Ink illustration of Edgar Allan Poe for Inktober 2025

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Had such a wonderful day with SCBWI CenCal for their Writer’s and Illustrator’s Day! There were so many great speakers, and so many wonderful books from such a talented group of people. #kidlitcommunity #bookish #scbwi #scbwiillustrators

Jaime and me - SCBWI CenCal Writer & Illustrator Day

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Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · 10/09/2025

I think the things we know are connected to the act of making something from nothing, and the way that connects to gaining knowledge of self. James Baldwin speaks to it better than I can. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGwP...

youtube.com

James Baldwin - The Struggle of The Artist (1969)

YouTube video by Reelblack One

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Mark Hoffmann @studiohoffmann.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

🧑‍🏫 Class is in session! I’ve been a professor for over 2 decades & I’ve learned a few things in my day. Every bit of wisdom has a big ol’ but. 🎨 I’ll be sharing some buts on here from time to time. ❓What’s the best art/illustration advice you’ve gotten? #Illustration #KidLitArt #illustrators #art

Image of a man with a professor’s cap with tassel, looking down at the text:
“PROFESSOR BUTS
SAYS
YOU CAN MAKE A CAREER OUT OF ILLUSTRATION”
(An arrow directs the reader to the next image)

Image of a smiling man with a pipe, with the text:
“…
BUT,
THERE IS NO SHAME IN HAVING A DAY JOB TO MAKE ENDS MEET.”

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Hey, so I wrote a blog on substack about my experiences trying to work as an author illustrator in children’s publishing. Check it out: open.substack.com/pub/jesscoop...

open.substack.com

From Sketches To Story

Behind the scenes of my latest picture book dummy in progress

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Hi #kidlitartpostcard day peeps! I'm Jessica Cooper, a #kidlit author-illustrator based out of Los Angeles. I specialize in stories & illustrations inspired by folklore, history and the wild. I’m currently seeking representation. Here’s my portfolio website: www.IllustratedbyJessica.com

Kidlitartpostcard day picture book art postcard by Jessica Cooper

Black and white Chapter book spot illustrations by Jessica W Cooper

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day for August 2025! I created two cards this month to show the kidlit illustration projects I’m working on. #kidlitcommunity #kidlitart Check out my website: www.IllustratedbyJessica.com

Jessica Cooper kidlit postcard sletch version

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SCBWI @scbwi.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Congratulations to the SCBWI Member of the Year, Debbie Ridpath Ohi!!! #scbwiSummer25

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

If you missed R. Gregory Christie’s presentation about his experience working as an illustrator, you’ve got to watch the recording later. It was one of the most inspiring presentations I’ve ever seen. Absolutely amazing artist and speaker. #scbwiSummer25

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SCBWI @scbwi.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

And starting now, here he is, Bryan Collier! #scbwiSummer25

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Elle Cordova @ellecordova.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Federal agencies hiding out in a bunker

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

You know you’re an artist when you don’t cry about anything ever like a psychopath, but then tears start streaming down your face at the unveiling of a John Singer Sargent painting, of a fictional character on an HBO show. I might need an art therapist myself. #TheGildedAge

media.tenor.com

a woman in a white dress says " what 's the point of this " in front of flowers

Alt: a woman in a white dress says " what 's the point of this " in front of flowers

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Naomi O'Leary @naomiohreally.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

I’m researching quite a niche early 20th century subject of art history at the moment and the AI slop and its errors is insidious and pervasive. My takeaway is that you have to basically disregard much of the internet, go back to non-internet sources, books and academic papers.

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

I’ve always loved the Bear Snores On picture books by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman. The characters are so cute and I would love to see a movie or animated series with the characters in Jane Chapman’s illustration style. #KidLitChat

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KidLit TV @kidlittv.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

🐱❤️ To celebrate #NationalKittenDay, we’re sharing Galia Bernstein’s secret to drawing BIG cats! 🦁 A hint: start with the shape of a flower vase! What other tips & tricks does the I AM A CAT creator have up her sleeve? Find out on #ReadySetDraw 🐯: www.kidlit.tv/ready-set-dr... #kidlit

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Mossforatu @dinolich.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

My very favorite online book resource @bookshop.org is having an Anti-Prime SALE!! Get free shipping on HELLAWEEN 1+2 now through July 11th. Treat your self to a lil somethin spooky this summer and support a local bookstore. Book 1: tinyurl.com/235mmbku Book 2: tinyurl.com/4mkfhntz #hellaween

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

ATTENTION ILLUSTRATORS, AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATORS & PICTURE BOOK WRITERS: Join us for Beyond the Brush: Visual Storytelling for the Modern Picture Book Market: 3 hour workshop with agent Kait Feldmann. Sun July 13, 2025, 2-5PM in Encino. $40 for Premium Members. www.scbwi.org/events/la-re...

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day! Hello agents, art directors & editors. I'm Jessica, a children's book author-illustrator based in Los Angeles. I'm currently seeking representation. This month I'm sharing my recent portrait of Dr. Carla Hayden. 📚🇺🇸 My portfolio: illustratedbyjessica.com/childrens-pu...

Illustration of former Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden

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J.L. DoomRona, Middle Grade Author 👻 🎃 @jldurona.com · 02/07/2025

#kidlitchat adulting is SO overrated! But seriously this right here

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

I honestly just love children’s books. I have quite a collection of picture books, because I love reading them to my kids, and just for myself. I often buy books just for the art. I still read YA and middle grade books too. I just never stopped reading them. #kidlitchat

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Here’s my new illustrated portrait of former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. I was participating in an illustrated portrait challenge this month, and I decided to paint her because I really admire her and her service and dedication to literacy and libraries. #kidlitart #carlahayden #kidlit

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Sometimes you get so much advice about portfolios and how or what you should do to be a children’s book illustrator, and I think I often need to remember that our main job is to draw children and animals. So, if you’re stuck, just practice that. Draw adorable animals and children. #kidlitart #kidlit

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

I’m spending some time sketching cute kids and animals today. #kidlitart

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Happy Kidlit Art Postcard Day! I'm Jessica Cooper, an author-illustrator with a style that blends nature-inspired realism with fantasy and folklore. I am currently seeking an agent. illustratedbyjessica.com/childrens-pu... #kidlitartpostcard

KidLitArtPostcard with gardening scene art by Jessica Cooper - with website listed as illustratedbyjessica.com

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Hey fellow kidlit illustrators! If you were going to attend an author-illustrator and illustrator focused event, what is the topic would you most be interested in learning about or discussing with other kidlit illustrators and author-illustrators? #kidlit

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The Vic @tdssister.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Good morning beautiful souls! School's out so the summer reading club will start Monday at my library and I'm the lead this year. Maybe some #GoodTrouble in my future 😎 Happy Friday! 🌞☕🌻🏃‍♀️🕉️

Cartoon depiction, one person handing a book ban list the other person presenting the list as current reading list!

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

“All rebellions are built on hope.” - one of the best through lines from Rogue One and the Andor series.

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

“I cannot face myself if I give up now.” - Andor, from Rogue One. It’s about rebellion, but maybe, in a way, persisting with a freelance writing & illustration career in the face of constant rejection, is also a form of rebellion. I’m a life long rebel I guess. Never give up. #kidlitcommunity

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Brian LaRossa @brianlarossa.com · 29/05/2025

My interview with @creativeboom.com—specifically about @bsky.app, and how I’ve made it work for me—is now out from behind the paywall and publicly available via YouTube. It’s an hour long, but I share a ton of concrete tips and tricks. 💙❤️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsVJ...

youtube.com

Cracking BlueSky: Brian LaRossa’s Guide to Making It Work

YouTube video by Creative Boom

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I’m 3 years worth of drafts in, sketchbooks full of sketches, scribbled down notes, and I’m finally starting to see my picture book come to life. It’s titled, Laughter In The Trees, and it’s inspired by my own experience moving to Australia as a child. #kidlit #amwriting #amdrawing #kidlitart

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Laura Perdew @lmperdew.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

My new book!!! CONSERVATION SUCCESS published this month (Nomad, illos by Lex Cornell) - it highlights amazing conservation efforts going on around the world and the different science-based approaches used. There IS good news out there! @steamteambooks.bsky.social #Edusky #kidlit #conservation

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Illustrated By Jessica Cooper @illustratedbyjess.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

I’m participating in the #BugsInBloom2025 art challenge. And having a lot of fun drawing and painting some of my favorite subjects: moths, botanicals & night garden scenes. I am really drawn to dark cottagecore style art and inspiration. I’m following a group of artists who created the prompt list.

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